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Sai Between Safa And Marwah

Safa and Marwa are two hills in the neighbourhood of Masjid-ul-Haram. The literal meaning of Sa’i is to run. In the terminology of Shari’at (Islamic Law) to make seven rounds between Safa and Marwah, in a particular way, is called Sa’i. It is observed as a memorial of a particular action of Hazrat Isma’il (peace be upon them). This Sa’i is ‘Wajib’ both in ‘Hajj’ and Umra.

Rules And Conditions For Sai
It is a condition for Sa’i to be performed after Tawaf. A Sa’i performed before Tawaf is not valid. It will have to be performed again after Tawaf. (Zubda). It is not, however necessary to perform a Sa’i immediately after Tawaf. Though it is a Sunnat to do so yet there is no harm if there is a pause in between due to one’s being tired or on account of some other requirement (Zubda).

Rule Of Action
For a Sa’i performed after the stay at Arafat and along with the Tawaf of Ziyarat, Ihram not a condition. It is even preferable and desirable to perform Tawaf-e-Ziyarat, after taking off Ihram in Mina on the 10th of Zilhijja when you already become free from offering a sacrifice and having your head shaven, although it is also permissible to perform Tawaf-e-Ziyarat before putting off Ihram. But Ihram is a condition for the Sa’i of Hajj which is performed before the stay at Arafat. Similarly, Ihram stands a condition for a Sa’i of Umra as well.

Rule Of Action
If Sa’i was not performed after Tawaf-e-Qudom, it must be performed within Ayyam-e-Nahr after the Tawaf-e-Ziyarat. It is Makroh to delay Sa’i after the days of Nahr (Hayat-ul-Qulob).

Rule Of Action
Though Sa’i is ‘Wajib’ to be performed on foot yet in case of some excuse it is allowed with the help of some sort of conveyance like rickshaw etc. If someone performs Sa’i on a vehicle without any excuse, he falls under the obligation of Dam i.e. offering a sacrifice.

Masnon Mode Of Sai
After Tawaf when you become free from having a drink of Zamzam Water and ready to go for Sa’i you should go again to Hajar-e-Aswad and offer an Istilam for the 9th time, i.e. you kiss Hajar-e-Aswad if possible, otherwise touch Hajar-e-Aswad with some stick or your hand and then kiss it. In case it is also not possible, kiss both your hands while keeping them in a confronting position to Hajar-e-Aswad and proclaim.

Thereafter, according to the traditions of the Holy Prophet you come out through ‘Babus Safa’, though it is also permissible through some other gate. Then you are to ascend Safa so high as you may have a look of Baitullah. Thereupon you are to stand with your face towards Ka’ba and make up your mind as follows to perform Sa’i:

“O Allah ! for the sake of Thy pleasure I intend to complete seven rounds of Sa’i between Safa and Marwah. Now render it easy for me and accord it Thy approval.”

Vitalizing this Niyyat (your intention) in mind is sufficient, but to pronounce it in words is however preferable. Then you are to raise your hands as they are raised at the time of invocation and not to raise them in a position similar to that of Takbir-e-Tahrima in prayers as most of the ignorant people do (Manasik, Mulla Ali Qari). Thereafter, pronounce Takbir and Tahlil loudly and Darod Sharif with a tender voice, and Pray to Allah, humbly and submissively. This is also a place attracting Allah’s approbation. Though it depends upon your own choice, you may Praise Allah with whatever words you like and you may pray to Him whatever you are desirous for, yet the invocation narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), particularly for this place is preferable. The invocation is :

“There is no God but Allah, He is Unique, He hath no partner ; The whole universe is only for Him and for Him is the praise. He gives life and He brings death.”

“He hath power over all things. There is no God but Allah. He is Unique. He fulfilled His promise and helped His slave and He alone defeated the enemies.”

Following this invocation there is another invocation to be recited, narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

“O Allah ! Thou said, ‘Call on me, I would respond’ and Thou never breakest Thy promise ; and I ask Thee that as Thou hath guided me to Islam, do not derive me of it till thou takest me unto Thee while I am a Muslim.”

These Takbirat and invocations are to be repeated three times. Besides this, you may invoke whatever blessings you desire as it is a place of approbation. Hereafter you are to walk, while reciting the name of Allah, from Safa to Marwah with usual pace. When you reach within a distance of six cubits from the place where green pillars have been erected within the wall, you are to start running and keep running even after crossing the other green pillars, upto a distance of six cubits from these latter pillars. Then again you are to walk with usual steps. For this occasion the following invocation has been narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) :

“My Lord! Forgive and have mercy! Thou art Most Powerful, Most Gracious. (Zubda)”
You may however pray for whatever else you desire as prayers are granted at this place also.
Rule Of Action
If you are performing Sa’i by means of some carriage you should speed it up between the two green pillars provided it does not hurt others. To run whether on foot or on a carriage is Sunnat only upto such an extent that it does not cause annoyance to others. When you reach Marwah, the hill confronting to Safa, you are to ascend it and stand there with your face towards Baitullah. Here also you are to repeat the practice you observed on Safa like raising your hands, pronouncing Takbir-o-Tahlil and praying. You have thus completed a round of Sa’i. Thereafter you are to walk back from Marwah to Safa. This time as well you are to start running a short while before reaching the green pillar and upto a short distance beyond the other green pillar you are to continue running. Then walking on usual steps, you are to ascend Safa and as detailed above you are to raise your hands in the position of invocation, repeat Takbir-o-Tahlil and pray as before, Thus you have completed the 2nd round. In this way you are to complete seven rounds. Sa’i commences from Safa and ends on Marwah.

Rule Of Action
It is a Sunnat of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) to complete seven rounds of Sa’i and then to offer two Rak’ats of prayers by the side of ‘Mataf’ (where Tawaf is performed in the Haram. It is howover permissible to offer two Rak’ats some-
where at Bab-ul-Umra.

Rule Of Action
Cleanliness, ablution and wearing clean clothes are treated to be Mustahab for the observance of Sa’i though it stands accomp-
lished otherwise as well (Ghunya).

On Being Free From Sai
Now all the practices pertaining to Ihram and Umra have come to end provided the ‘Ihram’ was worn with the intention of Umra or of Tamattu in Hajj. After being free from Sa’i you may have your head shaven or at least have its hair cut equal to a finger’s joint (about an inch) in length. To shave the head is called ‘Halq’ and to cut the hair is called Qasr. With this Halq or Qasr, Ihram formality has ended. Now, the observer of Umra alone has become free. Similarly the observer of Umra pertaining to Hajj-e-Tamattu has now stood relived from the obligation of Umra or Tamattu. Formalities of Ihram have now ended for both of them. They may now stay in Mecca, like common inhabitants and wait for the days of Hajj which will commence from the 8th day of Zilhijja. During this intervening period they should not stroll unnecessarily in Bazars or in meetings. Presences in Haramand frequent Nafl Tawafs should be treated as Allah’s great bounty.

On the other hand, if a person is Mufrid that is to say he has worn Ihram from Miqat for Hajj only or if he is a Qarin and has worn Ihram from Miqat for Hajj and Umra both; in each case, Ihram formality is still existing and as such both of them are bound to stay in Mecca with all the restrictions of Ihram. They should try to remain present in Masjid-e-Haram and spend most of their time in observing Tawaf to Baitullah which in fact, should be considered a great boon. They should avoid useless meetings and bazars and wait far the days of Hajj which are due to commence on the 8th day of Zilhijja.

Rule Of Action
During this waiting period a Nafl Tawaf, if made, will not include Idhtiba and Ramal.